Controlled environment photo studio

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprising a support element, a frame or enclosure rotatably attached to the support element and a camera rotatably attached to the frame or enclosure. The frame or enclosure can rotate about a subject placed on the support element in the horizontal and in the vertical. A camera mounted on the frame or enclosure rotates about the subject with the frame or enclosure and can also move toward or away from the subject. The frame can be covered with translucent material to create an enclosure around the subject and lighting may be applied either from outside the enclosure or inside the enclosure by placing lights affixed to the external frame through the material. In one embodiment, solid translucent material such as plexiglass can be both the frame and the enclosure. The support element includes at least one arm connected to a stage support which mounts a rotatable stage upon which the subject to be photographed is placed. The frame can support materials to create enclosures that are spherical in shape, conical, hemispherical and combinations of spheres, cones and hemispheres. The frame rotates about the support so that the subject stays stationary on the stage and the background of the subject always stays the same as the frame and camera rotate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for controlling thelighting environment of a subject in relation to a background to bephotographed and in particular to a device for controlling the lightingwhile rotating the camera about the subject in the horizontal andvertical axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Photographic studios use a variety of lighting instruments, lightreflectors, light blockers (flags, fingers, dots), light intensityreducers (scrims), light pattern modifiers (go-betweens or “gobos”) anddiffusers to control the lighting effects on a stationary subject to bephotographed. Such photography can be for a live subject or an inanimatesubject. The camera captures an image of the subject and typically afield behind the subject known as the background. The background is seenin the camera's frame (active field of view) when there is a absence ofsubject (or target). Light may be reflected from the subject, thebackground or both the subject and the background affecting the qualityof the subject image.

[0003] For professional photographs the physical environment around thesubject to be photographed creates the presentation of the subject.Therefore, controlling the environment is an essential part of producinga quality photographic image.

[0004] Photographers use a technique known as feathering which employscurved surfaces to reduce sharp edged or abrupt differences betweenhighlights and shadow thus establishing steps or gradients of shadowdepth, tone, and value. One method of controlling the lighting to effectfeathering of light and shadow on a subject and the surface on which thesubject rests is the use of a “jeweler's cone.” A cone, shaped like amegaphone, having a truncated end with a small circular aperture at afirst end and a large circular aperture at a second end is positionedover a subject and background to be photographed. The camera ispositioned in the small circular aperture. The cone is made oftranslucent material and lighting is applied from angles selected by thephotographer. Once positioned, the lights shine through the translucentmaterial and the subject is photographed. Another method of employing ajeweler's cone is to hang a translucent drape above the subject wherethe bottom of the drape is a rigid ring to create a cone of materialwhere slits or openings can be cut to insert the camera lens through thetranslucent material. Another technique used by photographers is toplace a translucent plexiglass dome over the subject to be photographedand to position lights outside and around the dome. A hole is cut in thedome to insert the camera lens. A further method is to place a subjecton a table made of curving translucent material so that the subjectrests on a curved surface and no sharp angles are present. Illuminationfrom a lighting device on a boom above or below the curved surface madeof diffuse plexiglass creates a graduated tone.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,119 discloses a motorized rotatable subjectstand and a camera frame that is capable of swinging in an arc aroundthe subject. U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,301 discloses a stand with a pedestalfor the subject to be photographed, a hanger to hold a sheet oftranslucent material, and a lamp mounted on a base to illuminate theback of the sheet beyond which the subject is positioned. U.S. Pat. No.3,690,242 discloses a studio in which the subject (which can be a personseated in a chair) is positioned on an inner portion and a camera andlight stand are positioned on an outer portion and the inner portion andthe outer portion are rotatable relative to each other.

[0006] The reason for all of these devices is to control the effect oflight on the subject and to minimize the effect of darkness at the pointwhere the lens is positioned. Most reflective surfaces create distortedimages. Therefore, the environment of the subject to be photographed isa major concern in achieving a fine photographic effect. Additionally,due to the use of electronic catalogs on the Internet the need for highquality photographs of subjects is in increasing demand. Moreover, astudio in which lighting can be replicated with precision would allowprogrammed capturing of expert photographic techniques to be duplicatedby amateurs following a computerized duplication of a professional ormaster's choice of lighting. Such a studio is both an artistic tool anda productivity tool. A further need is for a studio that can be operatedby remote control and linked to a computer.

[0007] Therefore, what is needed beyond the prior art is a studio wherethe camera can rotate about the subject while the background staysfixed, zoom in on the subject and also photograph the subject fromselected angles. What is further needed beyond the prior art is a studiowhich can transmit light from outside the studio, inside the studio orreflect off of the surface of the studio. What is further needed is arotatable studio in which the background is always fixed in relation tothe subject. Finally, what is needed beyond the prior art is a studiothat can meet the needs identified above and that can also be adapted toa drive system and linked to a computer for computer control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention which meets the needs identified above isan apparatus comprising a support element, a frame or enclosurerotatably attached to the support element and a camera rotatablyattached to the frame or enclosure. The frame or enclosure can rotateabout a subject placed on the support element in the horizontal and inthe vertical. A camera mounted on the frame or enclosure rotates aboutthe subject with the frame or enclosure and can also move toward or awayfrom the subject. The frame can be covered with translucent material tocreate an enclosure around the subject and lighting may be appliedeither from outside the enclosure or inside the enclosure by placinglights affixed to the external frame through the material. In oneembodiment, solid translucent material such as plexiglass can be boththe frame and the enclosure. The support element includes at least onearm connected to a stage support which mounts a rotatable stage uponwhich the subject to be photographed is placed. The frame can supportmaterials to create enclosures that are spherical, cylindrical, conical,hemispherical and combinations of spheres, cylinders, cones andhemispheres. While the aforementioned shapes are most desirable becauseof the absence of sharp angles, any shape can function and so theenclosures should not be limited to those enumerated above. The framerotates about the support so that the subject stays stationary on thestage and the background of the subject always stays the same as theframe and camera rotate.

[0009] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the inventionwill be apparent from the following more particular description of apreferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers represent likeparts of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1. depicts a left perspective view of the frame, stage andcamera mount.

[0011]FIG. 2 depicts a left perspective view of the frame with sphericaldome deployed.

[0012]FIG. 3 depicts the frame with spherical dome and camera.

[0013]FIG. 4 depicts a detailed view of the stage support and stage.

[0014]FIG. 5 depicts a detailed view of the first sleeve.

[0015]FIG. 6 depicts a detailed view of the camera mount.

[0016]FIG. 7 depicts a right side perspective view of the stage andframe of an alternate embodiment;

[0017]FIG. 8 depicts a view of a first alternate embodiment with cover;

[0018]FIG. 9 depicts a rear view of the first alternate embodiment.

[0019]FIG. 10 depicts a view of the first alternate embodiment withlighting affixed to the frame.

[0020]FIG. 11 depicts a view of a second alternate embodiment with theframe rotated to the vertical.

[0021]FIG. 12 depicts a third alternate embodiment of the studio.

[0022]FIG. 13 depicts the third alternate embodiment with cover.

[0023]FIG. 14 depicts a fourth alternate embodiment.

[0024]FIG. 15 depicts diagram of a computer controlled drive system forthe studio.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT.

[0025]FIG. 1 depicts studio 100 with support element 20, frame element50 and camera element 80. Support element 20 has first arm 10 fixedlyconnected to stage support 14 and second arm 12 fixedly connected tostage support 14. Stage 22 is rotatably connected to stage support 14.First arm 12 and second arm 14 may extend to a floor, a wall or aceiling.

[0026] Frame element 50 has first ring 52 and second ring 54. First ring52 and second ring 54 are rotatably connected by first hinge 56 andsecond hinge 58 and may be fixedly connected by first hinge 56 andsecond hinge 58. First ring 52 has first sleeve 30 and second sleeve 62fixedly engaged to first ring 52. First ring 52, first sleeve 30 andsecond sleeve 32 have a continuous opening running the length of firstsleeve 30, second sleeve 32 and through first ring 52. First arm 10 ofsupport element 20 passes through first sleeve 30 and second arm 12passes through second sleeve 32 so that frame element 50 may rotate afull three hundred and sixty degrees around support element 20. Subject26 is shown positioned upon stage 22 for photographing. Stage 22 istransparent so that subject 26 may be photographed from below stage 22.Subject 26 is representative of any object that may be placed on stage22 and is meant to embody all variations of size and shape includingshapes with interior surfaces. Alternatively, stage 22 may beconstructed as a grid or screen to allow passage of a borescope forobtaining images of interior surfaces of subject 26.

[0027] Camera element 80 has mount 74, base 72 and rod 70. Base 72 isfixedly connected to rod 70. Mount 74 is adjustably affixed to base 72.Rod 70 passes through third sleeve 34 in second ring 54. Rod 70 isrotatably and slidingly engaged in third sleeve 34. Camera 90 isremovably engaged to mount 74. The center of the lens of camera 90 isaligned with the center of subject 26. More specifically, the center ofthe lens of camera 90 is aligned to intersect an imaginary horizontalline running through the center of first sleeve 30, second sleeve 32 andan imaginary vertical line running through the center of stage 22.Camera 90 is meant to represent all formats of photography andvideography including large, medium and miniature still cameras,digitial still cameras, digital still and motion cameras, digital motioncameras, macro and micro photography analog and digital videographycameras, film motion picture cameras in all formats, cameras for sendingimages over the internet, cameras with borescopes, and cameras with zoomor fixed lenses. Because studio 100 and its alternative embodimentsdisclosed further herein can be constructed of any size, any existingcamera system can be adapated for mounting on mount 74.

[0028] First arm 10 is bent after passing through first sleeve 30 andmay be bent again prior to connecting to ring 14. Second arm 12 is bentafter passing through second arm 12 and may be bent again prior toconnecting to ring 14. The depth of ring 14 below a centerline passingthrough first sleeve 30 and second sleeve 32 will determine the size orheight of subjects to be photographed in studio 100. The center of massof subject 26 when placed on stage 22 should be intersected by animaginary line passing through first sleeve 30 and second sleeve 32 andan imaginary vertical line running through the center of stage 22. Thecenter of mass of subject 26 should also be intersected by an imaginaryline passing through the center of the lens of camera 90 andperpendicular to the lens. As used herein the term subject means thephysical object whose image is to be captured. A subject may beinanimate or it may be a living person, animal organism.

[0029] In the preferred embodiment, a first arm and a second arm areused. However. stage 22 may be supported by only one arm. Frame 50 mayrotate about the single arm.

[0030] Camera 90 can rotate three hundred and sixty degrees aboutsubject 26 because frame 50 will rotate on first sleeve 30 and secondsleeve 32. Subject 26 can rotate three hundred and sixty degrees aboutstage support 14 on stage 22 so that any view of subject 26 can beobtained including a bottom view.

[0031]FIG. 2 depicts sphere 64 mounted on first sleeve 30 and secondsleeve 32. First sleeve 30 cannot be seen; however, first arm 10 canbeen seen beyond spherical cover 64. Second sleeve 32 can be seen withsecond arm 12 emerging from second sleeve 32. Sphere 64 may be made ofany transparent or translucent material. As used herein, transparentmeans a material which admits the passage of light and may permit aclear view of objects beyond the material. Transparent material maydistort the environment beyond the material by acting as a filter due tocoloring. Moreover, a transparent material may have a pattern in itwhich can affect the color, tone and density of the light passingthrough the material. As used herein, translucent means allowing thepassage of light, but not permitting a clear view of any object. In thepreferred embodiment the translucent material would be semi-transparent.Moreover, by translucent material is further meant a material of anycolor or surface texture including but not limited to shiny, smooth,textured or matte. Moreover, in creating enclosures, transparent andtranslucent material may be used together in layers, together insectional combination or separately. Moreover, transparent andtranslucent materials may be used in combinations of shapes such as asphere inside a cone in order to achieve varying degrees of translucencyand lighting effects.

[0032]FIG. 3 depicts camera 90 deployed inside sphere 64 on rod 70. Rod70 is slidingly and frictionally engaged in third sleeve 34.

[0033]FIG. 4 depicts a portion of support element 20 showing therotation of stage 22 around stage support 14. Stage 22 can rotateclockwise or counterclockwise.

[0034]FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged view of second sleeve 32 which isfixedly engaged to first ring 52 so that second arm 12 passes throughboth sleeve 32 and second ring 52. Frame 50 and second ring 52 canrotate three hundred and sixty degrees about second arm 12.

[0035]FIG. 6 depicts an enlarged view of camera element 90 showing therotation of mount 74 and base 72 around rod 70 in third sleeve 40. Rod70 passes through third sleeve 40 and second ring 54 and is slidinglyengaged in third sleeve 40 so that camera 90 may move forward andbackward on rod 70.

[0036]FIG. 7 depicts an alternative embodiment of studio 100 shown inFIGS. 1 through 6. Second studio 200 has outer frame 260 supportingentry ring 220, cone ring 224 and hemisphere ring 256. Door element 240allows access to second studio support element 230 having second studiofirst arm 232 fixedly connected to second studio stage support 236 andsecond studio second arm 234 fixedly connected to second studio statesupport 236. Second studio stage support 236 functions in the samemanner as stage support 14 in FIG. 1 of studio 100. Second studio stagesupport 236 will rotatably support stage 22 (not shown). Second studiodoor element 240 has second studio door outer frame 249 hingedlyconnected to second studio outer frame 260. Second studio door outerframe 249 has second studio door outer frame first connecting arm 249fixedly engaged to second studio door inner frame 241 and second studioouter frame second connecting arm 238 fixedly connected to second studiodoor first inner frame 241. Second studio door first curved frame 242 isfixedly connected to second studio first inner frame 241 and secondstudio second inner frame 247. Second studio second curved frame 243 isfixedly connected to second studio first inner frame 241 and to secondstudio second inner frame 247. Second studio second outer frame 248 isfixedly connected to second studio second inner frame 247 by secondstudio second outer frame first connecting arm 244 and second studiosecond outer frame second connecting arm 246.

[0037]FIG. 8 shows second studio 200 covered with three sections oftranslucent covering. Cone cover 252, cylinder cover 254, door cover 258and hemisphere cover 256 provide translucent covering for second studio200. The translucent covering may be solid material such as plastic orpolyurethane or it may be cloth or other material that can be slit tointroduce lights inside the area enclosed by the material. A camera suchas camera 90 (See FIG. 1) may be mounted on second studio camera arm222. Second studio rod 270 is slidingly engaged in second studio cameraarm 222. Second studio door element 240 has second studio door outerframe 249 (see FIG. 6) hingedly connected to second studio outer frame260. Second studio door element 240 allows access to the interior ofsecond studio 200 so that subjects to be photographed may be placed onstage 22 rotatably mounted on second studio stage support 236 (notshown). Second studio outer frame 260 rotates about second studio secondarm 216 and second studio first arm 214. Second studio second arm 216passes through second studio outer frame socket 217 and continues tomeet stage support 14 (not shown in FIG. 8) in the same way as secondarm 12 meets stage support 14 in FIG. 1.

[0038]FIG. 9 shows second studio 200 from a rear view. The roundedaspect of hemisphere cover 256 can be seen in the rear view.

[0039]FIG. 10 shows second studio 200 with first light 270 and secondlight 280 adjustably affixed to second studio frame 260. First light 270has first light first arm 272, first light second arm 274, first lightbracket 276 and first tight hood 278. In the preferred embodiment firstlight 270 is mounted outside of second studio cone covering 252. Anynumber of first light 270's may be affixed to second studio frame 260.Second light 280 has second light first arm 282, second light second arm284, second light bracket 286 and second light hood (not shown) which isinside second studio cone covering 254 in light aperture 253 created byslit 255. Any number of second light 280's may be affixed to secondstudio frame 260. In the preferred embodiment first light 280 is mountedso that second light hood is inside studio cone covering 252.

[0040]FIG. 11 depicts studio 300 which is another embodiment of studio200. Studio 300 operates on the same principle as studio 100 and studio200 to create an infinite variety of manageable, repeatable and seamlesslighting options by allowing rotation about a subject while maintainingthe same background and lighting effects.

[0041]FIG. 12 depicts third studio 400 which is another embodiment ofstudio 100 and second studio 200 which employs pedestal 480 having apedestal stage 422, a stage 482, first leg 484 and second leg 486.

[0042]FIG. 13 depicts studio 400 covered and rotated to a verticalposition. FIG. 12 shows that pedestal 480 remains stationary when studio400 rotates.

[0043]FIG. 14 depicts fifth studio 500. Fifth studio frame 560 rotatesabout fifth studio stage 522 in both the horizontal and vertical axis bymeans of collar 518 rotatably affixed to pedestal stage support 586 andfixedly engaged to fifth studio first arm 514 and fifth studio secondarm 516. Fifth studio stage 522 rotates in the horizontal axis onpedestal stage support 586. Additionally, fifth studio stage 522 can beraised or lowered by raising or lowering pedestal stage support 586.Stop 512 can be tightened to anchor collar 518 in position.

[0044]FIG. 15 depicts computer 512 linked to camera 90 and to a drivefor either studio 100, second studio 200, third studio 300, fourthstudio 400 or fifth studio 500. As used herein, the term computer meansa functional unit that can perform substantial computations, includingnumerous arithmetic operations and logic operations without humanintervention during a run. In information processing, the term computerusually describes a digital computer. A computer may consist of a standalone unit or may consist of several interconnected units. As usedherein a personal computer (PC) means a microcomputer primarily intendedfor stand-alone use by an individual. As used herein, the term computeris mean to encompass desktop computers, laptop computers, mainframecomputers, microcomputers, minicomputers, portable computers and supermini computers. Computer 512 can be a single computer or may be linkedto a Local Area Network (LAN) or to a Wide Area Network (WAN). Computer512 ma) be linked to the Internet thereby linking camera 90 and drivedrives to the Internet for remote control of the camera and drives. Asused herein, Internet means the worldwide collection of networks andgateways that use the TCP/IP suite of protocols to communicate with oneanother. At the heart of the internet is a backbone of high-speed datacommunication lines between major nodes or host computers, consisting ofthousands of commercial, government, educational, and other computersystems, that route data and messages. All of the embodiments of theinvention can be driveized and driven by a computer. Two types of drivesystems are known in the art. First, the system may be driven by adirect current (DC) servo drive. In order to use a DC servo drive withany of the above described studio embodiments the exact position of thedrive must be known. Therefore, an encoder must be used if a DC servodrive is employed. The second type of system is a step drive system. Asused herein a step drive system means an electric drive whose shaftmoves in individual steps of approximately 0.9 degrees each. The driveshaft has permanent magnets attached to it and each step is controlledby energizing one or more of the coils inside the drive which theninteracts with the permanent magnets attached to the shaft. Turningthese coils on and off in sequence causes the drive to rotate in eitherthe forward or reverse direction. The time delay between each stepdetermines the drive's speed. Step drive systems can be used to move adevice driven by the step drive drive to any desired position by sendingthe step drive drive the number of step pulses corresponding to thedesired position. Step drive systems therefore, do not need encoders. Afurther advantage of step drive systems is the ability to remain at oneposition rigidly. A computer connected to the step drive system willknow the position of the drive at all times since the number of stepscan 1he stored. In order to ensure the accuracy of the position anoptical encoder could be attached to the drive. Most step controlsystems have a home switch associated with each drive that will allowthe software to determine the starting or reference “home” position.

[0045] One available control system comprises a MD-2 Dual Stepper DriveControl System manufactured by Arrick Robotics, P.O. Box 1574, Hurst,Tex. 76053 The Arrick Robotics system connects to the parallel port ofan IBM style personal computer by connecting a control device to theparallel port on the computer. Up to six drives (3 MD-2 systems) can beconnected to one computer. Programming can be accomplished with Arrickmotion control programs and DOS command-line interpreter. Customprograms can be written using Arrick subroutine libraries. The MD-2system can be operated from an AC outlet or from a battery.

[0046] Likewise, the lights maybe controlled by the computer. Forexample, X10 (USA) Inc., 91 Ruchlnas Rd., Closter, N.J. 07674 provides awireless computer interface for controlling up to 256 lights andappliances by remote control from a PC. The X10 system includes TM751transceivers and LM465 lamp modules.

[0047] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realizedthat the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of theinvention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readilyapparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalentrelationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in thespecification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus for mounting a camera in order to takephotographs of target subjects in a controlled lighting environmentcomprising: a support element; an enclosure rotatably attached to saidsupport element; a camera platform rotatably attached to said enclosure;wherein said target subject is positioned on said support element; andwherein said enclosure is capable of rotating about said target subjectin the horizontal and vertical axis.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a background portion of said enclosure; wherein, when saidenclosure rotates about said support element, an imaginary line drawnthrough the center of a lens of the camera mounted on said cameraplatform will intersect the background at the same point throughout therotation.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 farther comprising a plurality oflights movably engaged to said enclosure.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising at least one motor drive engaged to said enclosure.5. The support element of claim 1 further comprising: a stage rotatablyengaged to a stage support; and at least one motor drive engaged to saidstage.
 6. An apparatus for mounting a camera in order to takephotographs of target subjects in a controlled lighting environmentcomprising: a support element; a frame rotatably attached to saidsupport element; a camera platform rotatably attached to said frame;wherein said target subject is positioned on said support element; andwherein said camera platform is capable of rotating about said targetsubject in the horizontal and vertical axis and moving toward or awayfrom the subject.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising saidcamera mounted on said camera platform.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6further comprising a background affixed to said frame; wherein, whensaid frame rotates about said support, an imaginary line drawn throughthe center of a camera lens of the camera mounted on said cameraplatform will intersect the background at the same point.
 9. The supportof claim 6 further comprising: a stage support; at least one arm fixedlyengaged to said stage support; a stage rotatably engaged to said stagesupport; wherein said first arm is rotatably engaged to a first sleeveon said frame; and wherein said second arm is rotatably engaged to asecond sleeve on said frame.
 10. The camera platform of claim 6 furthercomprising: a rod slidingly and rotatably engaged to said frame; a mountfixedly engaged to said rod; and a base adjustably engaged to saidmount; wherein said camera is capable of fixed and removable engagementto said base; and wherein said base is adjustable in the horizontal andvertical dimensions so that said camera lens can be aligned with saidtarget subject.
 11. The frame of claim 6 further comprising a removablyattached to said frame; wherein said camera mount is located inside ofsaid shell; wherein said shell is translucent; and wherein said shell isspherical.
 12. An apparatus for mounting a camera in order to takephotographs of target subjects in a controlled lighting environmentcomprising: a stage support; a first arm fixedly engaged to said stagesupport; a second arm fixedly engaged to said stage support; a stagerotatably engaged to said stage support; a frame rotatably attached tosaid stage support; a cone section; a cylinder section rigidly attachedto said cone section and rotatably engaged to said support; and a domesection rigidly attached to said cylinder section; a camera platformrotatably attached to said frame; wherein said subject is positioned onsaid support; and wherein said camera platform is capable of rotatingaround said target subject in the horizontal and vertical axis andmoving toward or away from the subject.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12further comprising a background portion of said enclosure; wherein, whensaid enclosure rotates about said support element, an imaginary linedrawn through the center of a lens of the camera mounted on said cameraplatform will intersect the background at the same point throughout therotation.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a pluralityof lights movably engaged to said enclosure.
 15. The apparatus of claim12 further comprising at least one motor drive engaged to saidenclosure.
 16. The stage support of claim 12 further comprising: a stagerotatably engaged to the stage support; and at least one motor driveengaged to said stage.
 17. The camera platform of claim 12 furthercomprising: a rod slidingly and rotatably engaged to said frame; a mountfixedly engaged to said rod; and a base adjustably engaged to saidmount; wherein said camera is capable of fixed and removable engagementto said base; and wherein said base is adjustable in the horizontal andvertical dimensions so that said camera lens can be aligned with saidtarget subject.
 18. A method of photographing subjects comprising thesteps of: placing the subject on a support; adjusting a camera on acamera platform attached to a frame so that an imaginary line throughthe center of a lens of the camera will intersect an imaginary linethrough the point of rotation of said frame about said subject; rotatingthe frame to a desired angle; photographing the subject and background.19. The method of claim 18 farther comprising the step of: repeating therotating steps and photographing steps of claim 8 .
 20. The method ofclaim 18 farther comprising the steps of: connecting said frame to afirst drive; connecting said support to a second drive; connecting saidcamera to a computer; connecting said first drive and said second driveto the computer; moving the frame in response to commands to saidcomputer; recording images of the subject in the memory of said computerin response to commands to said computer.
 21. A method of capturing aphotographic image of a subject where the camera is attached to a frameand the subject is positioned on a stage, said frame and said stagefurther connected to a frame drive and a stage drive controlled by acomputer comprising the steps of: responsive to a first set ofinstructions from said computer positioning said subject; responsive toa second set of instructions from said computer positioning said frame;responsive to a third set of instructions from said computer capturingan image of the subject.
 22. A programmable apparatus for capturing theimage of a subject comprising: programable hardware comprising; at leastone computer; at least one drive; a program installed on said computer;a support; a stage rotatably affixed to said support; a frame rotatablyattached to said support; a camera platform rotatably attached to saidframe; a camera attached to said camera platform; a subject positionedon said stage; wherein responsive to instructions from said computer,said camera platform rotates around said target subject.
 23. Theprogramable apparatus of claim 22 wherein, responsive to instructionsfrom said computer, said stage rotates.
 24. The programmable apparatusof claim 22 wherein, responsive to said computer said camera capturesimages of said subject.
 25. The programmable apparatus of claim 22further comprising a plurality of lights wherein said lights may becontrolled manually or by a said computer.
 26. The programable apparatusof claim 22 further comprising a connection to the Internet.